Third Heart Sound Gallop
Third Heart Sound Gallop
A third heart sound occurs early in diastole. In young people and athletes it is a normal phenomenon. In older individuals it indicates the presence of congestive heart failure. The third heart sound is caused by a sudden deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium. In the anatomy video you will see a thin-walled, dilated left ventricle with generalized decreased vigor of contraction. In the presence of a third heart sound (S3) the first heart sound is decreased in intensity while the second heart sound is increased in intensity. The third heart sound is a low frequency sound best heard with the bell of the stethoscope pressed lightly on the skin of the chest.Auscultation Sounds


Patient Recording


Patient Recording - Half Speed Playback


Position

The patient's position should be supine.
Listening Tips
S1:Reduced intensityS2:Increased intensity
Diastole:S3 early in diastole, low-pitched, heard during expiration
Waveform (Phonocardiogram)
Observe
//embedding heart animation
Authors
These authors contributed the audio recordings and text found in this reference guide: Jon Keroes, MD,Diane Wrigley, PA, and David Lieberman.Medically reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
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